Koko Bate Agborsangaya has over 15 years of experience leading innovation in research ecosystems across private and public sectors. She excels in designing, executing, and managing multi-million-dollar initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, and guiding multidisciplinary teams through complex projects.
An avid community builder and advocate for justice, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation, she spearheaded the development of a comprehensive Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Diversity framework and led the implementation of the first Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) strategy for one of Canada’s leading science innovation non-profits.
Koko’s commitment to community extends beyond her professional role. She serves as the Board Chair of Parents for Diversity, an Ottawa-based non-profit dedicated to advocating for an inclusive education system for all children. Under her leadership, she secured the organization’s initial and largest funding to date and led the development of operations and processes, enabling the organization to scale effectively with newfound resources.
Furthermore, Koko is a champion advocate for equitable access to outdoor spaces for Black women and co-leads Black Girls Bike Ottawa. This organization was recently recognized by the City of Ottawa for making a significant difference in outdoor spaces and was honored with the Bruce Timmermans Cycling Award in 2024. Through her diverse roles and initiatives, Koko continues to drive positive change in both professional and community spheres, embodying the principles of equity, inclusion, and innovation in all her endeavors.